Bob Harlan, the Green Bay Packers chairman emeritus who previously served as the franchise's corporate general manager and then president and CEO, died on Thursday after a brief illness, the team announced. He was 89.
From 1981 through 1986, Harlan held the title of Packers corporate general manager before becoming the president, chairman and CEO. He remained as the club's principal executive until he retired in January of 2008.
Harlan played a crucial role in the Packers return' to prominence in the 1990s, which included winning Super Bowl XXXI with head coach Mike Holmgren and quarterback Brett Favre leading the way. He was also the guiding force in the $295 million redevelopment of Lambeau Field ahead of the 2003 season.
"The Packers family was saddened to learn of the passing of Bob Harlan," Packers president and CEO Ed Policy said in on Thursday. "Bob was a visionary leader whose impact on the franchise was transformational. From his inspired hiring of Ron Wolf to turn around the club's on-field fortunes to his tireless work to redevelop Lambeau Field, Bob restored the Packers to competitive excellence during his tenure and helped ensure our unique and treasured flagship NFL franchise was on sound footing for sustained generational success.
"We send our deepest sympathies to his wife, Madeline, and the entire Harlan family."
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell also released a statement regarding Harlan's passing.
"The entire NFL family mourns the loss of longtime Green Bay Packers CEO Bob Harlan," Goodell said. "Bob restored the Packers' tradition of excellence, winning a Super Bowl and renovating Lambeau Field into the iconic venue it is today.
"He also contributed substantially to our league, helping ensure that all cities, large or small, could be successful. Bob came to Green Bay in 1971 and never left, spending more than half a century in his beloved community.
"Our thoughts are with his family and Packer fans everywhere."
Harlan, who joined the Packers in 1971, became a beloved figure as exemplified by the outpouring from and Packers , such as current general manager Brian Gutekunst, Harlan's successor as team president and CEO Mark Murphy, along with former coaches and players, such as Holmgren, Mike McCarthy, Farve and Aaron Rodgers.
Said McCarthy: "Bob Harlan is the definition of what the Green Bay Packers embody. The foundation for continuous decades of success falls directly at his feet -- and heart."
Harlan memorably hired Pro Football Hall of Fame executive Ron Wolf and later general manager Ted Thompson, who drafted Rodgers.
"To me, Bob embodied the spirit of the Green Bay Packers and he truly loved leading the greatest franchise in the NFL," Rodgers said in a statement. "His kind heart, quick wit and steady hand will be remembered by Packers people forever."
Bob Harlan, who also worked for his alma mater, Marquette University and the St. Louis Cardinals baseball organization prior to joining the Packers, is a member of the Packers Hall of Fame and Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame.
Since 2008 until his passing, he was a chairman emeritus for the team.
Services are pending, according to the Packers.
